Argus

Argus is a 16-pixel W-band focal plane array for millimeter spectroscopy that will be deployed at the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The array operates in the 75-115.3 GHz range and has a 4×4 square-packed configuration. The Argus array fielded on the GBT will vastly improve mapping speeds and allow rapid surveys of substantial areas of the sky with high spectral resolution. Argus will address a wide-range of high-impact science: (1) star-formation and cores, (2) interstellar medium, (3) astro/bio-chemistry, (4) filamentary structure in molecular clouds, and (5) comets.

Miniature receivers are implemented with MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit) amplifier-based multi-chip modules, which also contain mixers for signal downconversion. Signal processing and routing inside the cryostat is largely done on multilayer PCBs, with thermal breaks in the signal path being implemented with flex circuitry. Figure given below is a concept drawing of the 4-pixel array. The projected receiver noise temperature is 40 K.

Concept drawing of the 4-pixel Argus array. The 16-pixel array will be a stack-up with 4 rows of the 4-pixel concept.

Argus is scheduled to be deployed at the GBT by November 2014 and is a collaboration between Stanford U. (PI Sarah Church), Caltech, JPL, Univ. Maryland, Univ. Miami, and NRAO. After commissioning, the instrument is expected to be available for general use at the GBT. An article on Argus was featured in the NRAO newsletter in February 2013.